Sheet material dispenser and blank for assembling the same

ABSTRACT

Dispensing carton for a supply roll of sheet material, e.g. a foil dispenser, has closure structure including a top wall containing an elongated slot. It has a front wall with a hinged bottom edge and a free top edge associated with a cutting blade. The front wall is adapted to be moved from a position perpendicular to the bottom wall to a position in obtuse angle relationship to the bottom wall. The closure structure includes downwardly depending means which function to shield the cutting edge when the front wall is in perpendicular position and to lock the front wall in place when it is in angled position. When the carton is in use, the sheet material is threaded through the elongated slot and the front wall is locked in angled position.

McKibbin Dec.v 3, 1974 SHEET MATERIAL DISPENSER AND BLANK FOR ASSEMBLINGTHE SAME John M. McKibbin, Bridgewater, Conn.

Inventor:

Assignee: National Steel Corporation,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Filed: Dec. 7, 1972 Appl. No.: 312,905

US. Cl 225/20, 225/48, 225/89 Int. Cl B26f 3/02 Field of Search 225/19,20, 47, 48, 53,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1938 Spilski 225/89 X 11/1969Branjon 225/48 X Primary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz AssistantExaminer-Leon Gilden Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Shanley, O'Neil and Baker[57] ABSTRACT Dispensing carton for a supply roll of sheet material,e.g. a foil dispenser, has closure structure including a top wallcontaining an elongated slot. It has a front wall with a hinged bottomedge and a free top edge associated with a cutting blade. The front wallis adapted to be moved from a position perpendicular to the bottom wallto a position in obtuse angle relationship to the bottom wall. Theclosure structure includes downwardly depending means which function toshield the cutting edge when the front wall is in perpendicular positionand to lock the front wall in place when it is in angled position. Whenthe carton is in use, the sheet material is threaded through theelongated slot and the front wall is locked in angled position.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEL BEE 3 sum ear 2 SHEET MATERIALDISPENSER AND BLANK FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a dispensing carton for a supply roll of sheetmaterial, e.g., an aluminum foil dispenser. It also relates to a blankfor assembling such carton. It further relates to the combination of asupply roll of sheet material and a dispensing carton.

It is known to design such cartons with a sheet material outlet spacedfrom a cutter so that the leading edge of the material remains exposedafter a piece of such material has been torn off thereby permitting theuser to readily grasp the leading edge of the material without having toreach into the box. This concept is disclosed for example in thefollowing US. Pat. Nos. 2,836,292; 2,889,098; 2,936,937; 3,082,870;3,092,294; 3,137,424; 3,228,519; 3,285,483; 3,477,624; and 3,565,307.

Except for US. Pat. Nos. 2,936,937 and 3,565,307, the above listedpatents disclose cartons such that sheet material is drawn parallel toand adjacent a surface having a cutter extending from its edge. Suchcartons are disadvantageous from the standpoint of tearing ease comparedto cartons such that sheet material is drawn in angled relationship to acutter. US. Pat. Nos. 2,936,937 and 3,565,307 disclose cartons of thislastmentioned type.

It is desirable to shield the cutting edge, for example during shipmentand handling. This is a problem especially with cartons with angledcutters. US. Pat. No. 3,565,370 recognizes this problem and disclosesproviding shielding of the cutting edge by drawing sheet material overit and tucking the same behind the wall carrying the cutter. This is nota very satisfactory solution especially in relation to shipping andhandling.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel dispensing cartonof the type where the sheet material outlet is spaced from the cutterand where sheet material is drawn in angled relationship to the cutterfor severmg.

It is a further object of preferred embodiment of this invention toprovide a dispensing carton with improved means to shield the cutterwhen the carton is not in use.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a blank adapted to beassembled to form the above-mentioned novel dispensing carton andproviding the total material of construction of said carton except forthe cutter and any means used to fasten the carton together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In describing preferred embodiments ofthe invention reference is made hereinafter to the accompanying drawingsin which FIG. 1 is a plan view of a one-piece blank from which FIG. 4 isa perspective view of the assembled carton with the cover structure inclosed position locking the front wall in outward position and with thecutter left off. the front wall.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the carton housing a supply rollof sheet material with the front wall of the carton in outward positionand. the sheet material in position ready for tearing.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1, thecarton is formed from a substantially rectangular blank, preferably ofcorrugated paperboard, suitably divided by cut and score lines into aconglomerate of connected panels and flaps.

The blank includes four substantially equal area panels of elongatesubstantially rectangular configuration. These panels are respectivelydenoted 10, 12, 14 and 16. The top and bottom edges of a panel definethe length of that panel and the right and left edges of a panel definethe width of that panel.

Score lines 18, 20, 22 and 24 respectively define the top (inner long),bottom (outer long), left and right edges of panel 10.

An elongate slot 26 is contained in panel 10 and has inner and outeredges (respectively 260 and 26b) .substantially parallel to score lines18 and 20. Edge 26b is positioned closer to score line 20 than to scoreline 18, and preferably the distance between edge 26b and score line 20is less than about 30 percent of the dis tance between score lines 18and 20. The slot 26 functions as a dispensing outlet for sheet materialin the assembled carton.

Score lines 28, 18, 30 and 32 respectively define the top, bottom, leftand right edges of panel 12.

Score lines 34 and 28 respectively define the top and bottom edges ofpanel 14. Cut lines 36 and 38 respectively define the left and rightedges of panel 14.

A free edge 40 defines. the top edge of panel 16. Score lines 34, 42 and44 respectively define the bottom, left and right edges of panel 16.

A panel 46 of elongate rectangular configuration has a top edge definedby score line 20. A score line 48 defines its bottom edge. Cut lines 50and 52 respectively define its left and right edges. Panel 46 has, forexample, a width approximately 40 percent of the width of panel 10.

A panel 54 of elongate substantially rectangular configuration has a topedge defined by a score line 56 which is substantially parallel to scoreline 48. Score line 56 is slightly shorter than the score line 48 andhas a center vertically aligned with the center of score line 48 so thatits endpoints are spaced slightly inwardly of the endpoints of scoreline 48. The panel 54 has a free bottom edge 58 which is parallel toscore line 56 except that it contains three protrusions 60, one atapproxithe carton is constructed, with a cutting edge secured.

thereto. The depicted surface forms interior walls of the carton.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled carton with coverstructure in position to shield the cutting edge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled carton with the coverstructure in open position and the front wall moved to an outwardposition, and with the cutter left off the front wall.

mately the center portion of theedge 58 and the others somewhat inwardlyof the ends of edge 58. The panel 54 has a left edge 62 and a right edge64. The panel 54 has a width at a location where there is no protrusion60 very slightly greater than the width of panel 46.

The panels 46 and 54 are joined by an area 66 having the configurationof an inverted symmetrical trapezoid. The trapezoid has a base definedby score line 48 and an edge parallel to the base defined by score line56. It has a left side defined by free edge 68 and a right side definedby a free edge 70. It has a width sufficient to allow panel 54 to befolded parallel to panel 66.

A flap 72 is separated from the left edge of panel by score line 22 anda flap 74 is separated from the right edge of panel 10 by score line 24.The flaps 72 and 74 are each of trapezoidal configuration with the scorelines 22 and 24 defining bases of the trapezoids. The flap 72 containsan edge defined by a score line 76 and the flap 74 includes an edgedefined by a score line 78. The score lines 76 and 78 are substantiallyexten sions respectively of the left and right ends of score line 20.The score lines 76 and 78 each have lengths, for example, approximately50 percent of the height of the assembled container. The flap 72 has anedge parallel to score line 22 defined by a cut line 80. The flap 74 hasan edge parallel to score line 24 defined by cut line 82. The out line80 has a length, for example, approximately 50 percent of the length ofscore line 22, and the cut line 82 has a length, for example,approximately 50 percent of the length of the score line 24. The flap 72has an edge defined by a out line 84, and the flap 74 has an edgedefined by a cut line 86. The angles between score lines 76 and 22 andbetween score lines 78 and 24 are each approximately 90. The anglesbetween cut line 84 and score line 22 and between cut line 86 and scoreline 24 are each, for example approximately 45.

Flaps 88 and 90 each have the configuration of an irregular pentagoncontaining two pairs of parallel edges. One pair of parallel edges forflap 88 is defined by score line 76 and a free edge 92. Thecorresponding pair of parallel sides for flap 90 is defined by scoreline 78 and a free edge 94. The other pair of parallel edges for flap 88is defined by cut line 50 and a free edge 96. The other pair of paralleledges for flap 90 is defined by cut line 52 and a free edge 98. Theedges 96 and 98 each extend vertically respectively slightly inwardly ofcut lines 80 and 82. The free edges 92 and 94 are horizontally alignedwith the outward extent of protuberances 60 on free edge 58 of panel 54.The fifth edges of each of flaps 88 and 90 are respectively free edges100 and 102. In flap 88 the angles between edges 92 and 96, edge 96 andscore line 76, and between score line 76 and cut line 50 are eachapproximately 90 and the angles between edges 92 and 1110 and betweenedge 101) and cut line 50 are obtuse angles with the angle between edges92 and 100 being approximately 105. In flap 91), the angles betweenedges 94 and 98, between edge 98 and score line 78, and between scoreline 78 and cut line 52 are each approximately 90 and the angles betweenout line 52 and edge 102 and between edge 102 and edge 94 are eachobtuse angles with the angle between edge 102 and edge 94 beingapproximately 105.

Panels 104 and 106 are substantially square. Panel 104 has an innervertically oriented edge defined by score line 30 and is separated frompanel 12 thereby and panel 106 has an inner vertically oriented edgedefined by score line 32 and is separated from the right side of panel12 thereby. Panel 104 has an outer edge 108 which is parallel to scoreline 30. Edge 108 is a free edge. Panel 106 has an outer edge 110 whichis parallel to score line 32. Edge 110 is a free edge. The extent ofedges 108 an 110 and score lines 30 and 32 define the height of theinterior of the assembled carton. Panels 104 and 106 have bottom edgesrespectively defined by score lines 112 and 114. Panels 104 and 166respectively have top edges defined by score lines 116 and 118. Theextent of the score lines 112, 114, 116 and 118 define the width of theinterior of the assembled container.

Flaps 1211 and 122 each have the configuration of an irregular pentagon.Two edges of flap 120 are defined by cut lines and 8 1 which separateflap from flap 72. Two edges of flap 122 are defined by cut lines 82 and86 which separate flap 122 from flap 74. Flap 120 has a verticallyoriented outer free edge 124. Edge 124 is parallel to cut line 80 andscore line 22 and has a length slightly less than the length of scoreline 22 such that its upper end is slightly below the upper end of scoreline 22. In like manner, flap 122 has a vertically-oriented outer freeedge 126. Edge 126 is parallel to cut line 82 and score line 24 has alength slightly less than the length of score line 24 so that the upperend of edge 126 is slightly below the upper end of score line 24. Flap120 has a bottom free edge 128. Flap 122 has a bottom free edge 130. Theedge 128 is horizontally oriented and is spaced slightly upwardly ofscore line 76. The edge 1311 is horizontally oriented and is spacedslightly upwardly of score line 78. Flap 120 has a top edge defined byscore line 132. Flap 122 has a top edge defined by score line 134. Line132 is perpendicular to edge 124. Line 134 is perpendicular to edge 126.It is noted that edges 128 and are depicted and actually constructed tobe of stepwise configuration but for simplification purposes these edgeshave been considered to be straight lines in the description of flaps120 and 122 as being of pentagon configuration since they approximatestraight lines.

An area 136 of inverted trapezoidal configuration joins flaps 121) topanel 164. An area 138 of inverted trapezoidal configuration joins flap122 to panel 106. The trapezoid of the area 136 has a base defined byscore line 112 and an edge parallel to the base defined by score line132; it has an outer side defined by a free edge 140 which joins edge108 to edge 124 and an inner side defined by a portion of cut line 84.The trapezoid of area 138 has a base defined by score line 114 and anedge parallel to the base defined by score line 134-; it has an outeredge defined by a free edge 142 which joins edge 110 to edge 126. Theareas 136 and 138 allow for the folding respecof flaps 120 and 122parallel respectively to panels 164 and 106.

Flaps 144 and 1416 are each substantially square. Flap 144 has a bottomedge defined by score line 116 and is separated from panel 1116 thereby.it has a top edge defined by a out line 1 18. it has a right edgedefined by out line 36 and is separated from panel 14 thereby. It has afree left edge which meets edge 188. Flap 146 has a bottom edge definedby score line 118 and is separated from panel 1116 thereby. It has a topedge defined by a out line 152. it has a left edge defined by cut iine38 and is separated from panel 14 thereby. it has a free right edge 154which meets edge 110.

Flaps 156 and 158 are connected to and extend outwardly respectivelyfrom the ends of panel 16, that is from the opposite edges definedrespectively by score lines 42 and Flap 156 has an inner edge defined byscore line 42. Flap 158 has an inner edge defined by score line 44. Flap156 has a bottom edge defined by cut line 148, and flap 158 has a bottomedge defined by cut line 152. Flap 156 has an outer free edge 160 whichextends vertically from the left end of cut line 148. Edge 160 has alength approximately 60 percent that of score line 42. Flap 158 has anouter free edge 162 which extends vertically from the right end of cutline 152 and has a length approximately 60 percent that of score line44. Flap 156 has a free edge 164 joining the upper end of score line 42with the upper end of free edge 160. Flap 158 has a free edge 166joining the upper end of score line 44 with the upper end of free edge162.

The free edges 164 and 166 each comprise an outwardly extending curvedportion interrupted by an inwardly extending slot portion and also by aninwardly extending curved portion different from the slot portion. Inparticular each of said free edges consists of (starting at its endclosest to panel 16) an arcuate portion, an inwardly extendingsemicircular portion having its center on an extension of the arcuateportion, another arcuate portion, an inwardly extending elongated slotportion, another arcuate portion and a horizontally extending portion.

The arcuate portions each have diameters approximately equal to thewidth of panel 16. The arcuate portions for each flap have a commoncenter within the blank.

The elongate slot for flap 156 is denoted 168, and the elongate slot forflap 158 is denoted 170. The slots each have a diagonally extendinglongitudinal axis. Slot 168 has an inner long edge 171 and an outer longedge 172;

inward extensions of these edges intersect the left end of score line34. Slot 170 has an inner long edge 173 and an outer long edge 174;inward extensions of these edges intersect the right end of score line34.

As described later, the slots 168 and 170 function in combination withcover structure in the assembled carton as locking structure to lock thefront carton wall in a position in obtuse angle relationship to thebottom carton wall. In particular, the locking structure providing meansin the blank includes panel 10, structure connected therewith andadapted to be folded to depend therefrom including panels 46 and 54connected by area 66 whereby panel 54 can be folded to be positionedparallel to panel 46, and flaps 156 and 158 including their respectiveslots 168 and 170.

The angle between the extension of each of the outer long edges 172 and174 to the points of intersection described and the score line 34defines and is equal to the obtuse angle in the obtuse anglerelationship referred to. Thus, the angling of the slot conforms withthe obtuse angle relationship. Preferably, such angle ranges from about110 to about 130, very preferably from about 1 to about 125. In the caseof the blank specifically depicted in FIG. 1, this angle isapproximately 120.

The upper free edge 40 of panel 16 carries a metal cutting edge 175secured thereto for example by prongs punched inwardly from circularareas to extend through the carton stock. Sawtoothstructure of thecutting edge projects slightly above the level of edge 40 The scorelines 18, 20, 22, 24, 28, 30, 32, 34, 42, 44, 48, 56, 76, 78, 112, 114,116, 118, 132 and 134 function as fold lines (sites) in the assembly ofthe carton. I

The score line 18 also serves as a hinge in the opening and closing ofthe assembled carton.

The score line 34 also serves as a hinge and in particular as a pivotingsite so that panel 16 is operatively connected to panel 14 so that itcan be moved, that is swung from a position perpendicular to panel 14 toa position in obtuse angle relationship therewith after the assembly ofthe carton.

The cut lines 36, 38, 50, 52, 80, 82, 84, 86, 148 and 152 provide sitesof disconnection in theassembly of the carton.

In the assembly of the carton, flaps 72 and 74 are folded upwardlyrespectively along score lines 22 and 24 so as to be positionedperpendicular to panel 10. Flaps 88 and having respectively been carriedwith flaps 72 and 74 are folded inwardly respectively along score lines76 and 78 until the edges defined by cut lines 50 and 52 are alignedwith score line 20. Panel 46 is then folded upwardly along score line 20carrying with it area 66 and panel 54. This folding is continued untilpanel 46 is perpendicular to panel 10 and adjacent flaps 88 and 90.Panel 54 is then folded downwardly along area 66 thereby enclosing flaps88 and 90 between panels 46 and 54 and such folding is continued untilprotrusions 60 wedge against panel 10 thereby exerting pressure on panel10. Panel 54 is then fastened in position parallel to and overlyingpanel 46 and flaps 88 and 90, for example by stapling. The portionfolded and fastened thus far provides cover structure, that is closuremeans, including a top wall defined by panel 10 and structure dependingtherefrom in the assembled carton.

Then panel 14 is folded upwardly along score line 28 until it isperpendicular to panel 12. It carries with it panel 16 and flaps 156 and158.

Also flaps 144 and 146 are folded upwardly respectively along scorelines 116 and 118 until these members are respectively perpendicular topanels 104 and 106.

Panels 104 and 106 are then folded upwardly along score lines 30 and 32respectively with flaps 144 and 146 being guided inwardly of panel 14during such folding. This folding is continued until panels 104 and 106are perpendicular to panel 12 and flaps 144 and 146 respectively overlieleft and right portions of panel 14. Panel 104 carries with it area 138and flap 120. Panel 106 carries with it area 138 and flap 122.

Next, flaps 120 and 122 are folded inwardly respectively along areas 136and 138 until flaps 120 and 122 are approximately parallel respectivelyto panels 104 and 106 to provide end structure for the carton comprisinga pair of spaced parallel walls at each end.

Flaps 156 and 158 are then folded inwardly respectively along scorelines 42 and 44 until these flaps are perpendicular to panel 16.

Then panel 16 is folded downwardly toward panel 12 alongscore line 34with flap .156 being guided into the cavity defined by the spacedparallel walls provided by the structure of flap 120 and panel 104 andflap 156 being guided into the cavity defined by the spaced parallelwalls provided by the structure of flap 122 and panel 106. Folding iscontinued until panel 16 is perpendicular to panel 14 and flaps 156 and158 are telescoped into the aforedescribed cavities.

The carton assembled thus far is oriented so panel 14 provides itsbottom wall. A roll of sheet material, for example aluminum foil, isinserted so as to rest on panel l4 and flaps 144 and 146 with the rolldimensioned such that its ends maintain flaps 120 and 122 in place asthe inner walls of each pair of spaced parallel end walls. Panel 10 isthen folded downwardly along score line 18 toward panel 14 until panel30 is perpendicular to panel 12 and the structure depending downwardlyfrom panel 10 overlies outer surface of panels 104, 106 and 16.

The carton in assembled form is depicted in FlGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The closure structure includes panel 10 which provides a top wallcontaining an elongated slot and also includes downwardly dependingstructure carried on panel 10 including panel 46 reinforced by overlyingpanel 54 depending from the front edge of panel 10 and flaps 72 and 74depending from alternate ends of panels 10. It is integral with the restof the carton at a connection at the rear edge of panel 10 and the upperedge of the rear carton wall at the hinge provided at score line 18.

The rear wall of the carton is defined by panel 12.

The bottom wall is defined by panel 14.

The front wall is defined by panel 16 which is swingable at the hingeconnecting panel 16 with panel 14 and carries the cutting edge 17Sassociated with its top free edge. The front wall has slot-containingflap 156 extending inwardly at the edge at one end and slotcontainingflap 158 extending inwardly at the edge at the other end.

Spaced parallel walls are provided at one end of the carton by panel 104and flap 120; these define a cavity for receiving flap 156 intelescoping relation when the front wall is positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the bottom wall. Spaced parallel walls are provided atthe other end of the carton by panel 106 and flap 122; these define acavity for receiving flap 158 in telescoping relation when the frontwall is positioned substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall.

In FIG. 2, the front wall is depicted in position perpendicular to thebottom wall and maintained in such position by the overlying downwardlydepending structure of the closure.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the closure structure is opened exposing theinterior of the carton the front wall defined by panel 16 is movable,that is swingable, from the position substantially perpendicular to thebottom wall defined by panel 14 pivoting along the hinge structureconnecting panels l4 and 16 whereby flaps 158 and 156 are moved out oftelescoping relationship with the spaced parallel walls at each end ofthe container and the front wall defined by panel 16 is moved intoobtuse angle relationship with the bottom wall so that edge 40 is spacedoutwardly compared to its position where the front wall is positionedperpendicular to the bottom wall.

When the carton is to be put into use dispensing from a supply roll ofsheet material, the closure structure is opened by pivoting panel 10 atline 18 and the leading edge of the sheet material from the supply rollis threaded through slot 26. The front wall of the carton is then moved,that is swung, forward by pivoting panel 16 along score line 34 asdepicted in FIG. 3. The cover structure is then lowered with the anglingof panel 16 being adjusted if necessary so that the structure dependingdownwardly from the cover structure including panel 46 is advanced intoslots 170 and 168 thereby locking the front wall in obtuse angledposition. FIG. 4

depicts the front wall locked in obtuse angled position by the coverstructure.

To obtain a piece of sheet material, sheet material is pulled forwardlyout of slot 26 until it is advanced past the cutter 175 on top edge ofthe angled front wall defined by panel 16. This is depicted in FlG. 5wherein the supply roll, for example a roll of aluminum foil. housed bythe carton is denoted by numeral 200 and the sheet material threadedthrough the elongated slot is denoted by numeral 202.

When the sheet material is in position as shown in FIG. 5, a piece isobtained by pulling outward to obtain a desired length and downward overcutting edge 175 to sever such piece. When this occurs there remains exposed outside the carton a piece of sheet material which is readilygrasped due to the spacing of the cutting edge 175 from the sheetmaterial outlet defined by slot 26.

The obtuse angle relationship of the front wall de fined by panel 16with the bottom wall defined by panel 14 preferably providesapproximately a angle between the sheet material and the cutter wherebysevering is made easier than if the sheet material were being advancedparallel to the cutter. As previously indicated the obtuse anglepreferably ranges from about 1 10 to about 130, very preferably fromabout 1 15 to about If the angle is less than about 1 10, a ragged tearmay be obtained. If the angle is more than about the person utilizingthe dispenser may have to assume an awkward position to effect tearing.

Thus, the aforedescribed carton has the advantage that the cutter can beshielded, for example during shipping of the carton. This is carried outby position ing the front wall substantially perpendicular to the bottomwall with the side flaps 156 and 158 telescoped within the spacedparallel walls at each end of the container and utilizing the coverstructure and particularly the downwardly depending structure includingpanel 46 to overlie the front wall thereby covering the cutter andmaintaining the front wall in said perpendicular position.

For use, the cutter can be angled outwardly to provide additionalspacing of the cutter from the sheet material outlet thereby ensuringsheet material being exposed and available for grasping without reachinginto the box after a piece of sheet material has been severed. Moreover,the angled relationship positioning has the advantage of providing foreasier tearing.

The carton has the additional advantage of being easily assembled from asubstantially rectangular onepiece blank with which a cutting edge hasbeen associated. The carton is especially advantageous for use indispensing from a roll of aluminum foil.

The spacing of elongate slot 26 so that edge 26b is positioned closer tothe front edge of the top wall, that is the edge of panel 10 defined byscore line 20, than to the rear edge and preferably so that the distancebe tween edge 26b and score line 20 is less than about 30 percent of thewidth of the top wall permits the sheet material from the supply roll tobe pulled substantially straight upwardly through slot 26 therebyproviding ease of pulling and minimizing the tendency of the sheetmaterial to fracture during pulling.

The upward pressure on the top wall exerted by protuberances 60 maintainthe top wall spaced upwardly from the cutter when the closure is beingutilized to shield the cutter. This prevents the interior surface of thetop wall from becoming frayed by the cutter if downward pressure isexerted on the top wall for example, by an adjacent carton in a stack ofcartons or when a plurality of cartons are packed in a case forshipping.

The arcuate portions and inwardly extending semicircular portions in thefree edges of flaps 156 and 158 minimize the possibility of said edgesfrictionally en gaging areas 136 and 138 when flaps 156 and 158 aredrawn out of telescoping relationship and correct for deviations intolerances in the carton material and for expansion thereof.

Although only certain modifications of preferred forms of this inventionhave been shown and described, it is clear that many others could alsobe made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It istherefore intended that the invention be defined by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. Dispensing carton for a supply roll of sheet material, said cartoncomprising top wall means comprising panel means hinged at a rear edgeand containing an elongated slot, bottom wall means,

front wall means including panel means hinged at its bottom to saidbottom wall means and having a free edge at its top, and movable from aposition substantially perpendicular to said bottom wall means to aposition in obtuse angle relationship with said bottom wall means tospace said free edge outward from the panel means of said top wallmeans, cutter means associated with said free edge,

flap means associated with said front wall means,

means depending from a front edge of the panel means of said top wallmeans, movable by movement of the panel means of the top wall means atthe hinge at its rear edge, to overlie and shield said cutter means whenthe panel means of said front wall means is in a position substantiallyperpendicular to said bottom wall means, and to interact with said flapmeans when the panel means of said front wall means is in a position inobtuse angle relationship with said bottom wall means to lock said frontwall means in said relationship. 2. Dispensing carton as defined inclaim 1, in which the panel means of said front wall means has left andright edges, and said flap means comprises a flap ex-' tending inwardlyfrom said left edge and a flap extending inwardly from said right edge,each of said flaps containing a free upper edge comprising an inwardlyextending elongated slot, said slots being configured and positioned toreceive said depending means when said front wall means is positioned insaid obtuse angle relationship to thereby lock said front wall means insaid relationship.

3. Dispensing carton as defined in claim 2, in which said carton hasstructure at each end comprising spaced wall means defining a cavity forreceiving a flap of said flap means in telescoping relation when saidfront wall means is positioned substantially perpendicular to saidbottom wall means.

4. Dispensing carton as defined in claim 3, in which said carton isassembled from a single blank with which said cutting means has beenassociated.

5. Dispensing carton as defined in claim 1, in which said obtuse angleranges from about to about 130.

6. Dispensing carton as defined in claim 5, in which said obtuse angleranges from about 1 l5 to about

1. Dispensing carton for a supply roll of sheet material, said cartoncomprising top wall means comprising panel means hinged at a rear edgeand containing an elongated slot, bottom wall means, front wall meansincluding panel means hinged at its bottom to said bottom wall means andhaving a free edge at its top, and movable from a position substantiallyperpendicular to said bottom wall means to a position in obtuse anglerelationship with said bottom wall means to space said free edge outwardfrom the panel means of said top wall means, cutter means associatedwith said free edge, flap means associated with said front wall means,means depending from a front edge of the panel means of said top wallmeans, movable by movement of the panel means of the top wall means atthe hinge at its rear edge, to overlie and shield said cutter means whenthe panel means of said front wall means is in a position substantiallyperpendicular to said bottom wall means, and to interact with said flapmeans when the panel means of said front wall means is in a position inobtuse angle relationship with said bottom wall means to lock said frontwall means in said relationship.
 2. Dispensing carton as defined inclaim 1, in which the panel means of said front wall means has left andright edges, and said flap means comprises a flap extending inwardlyfrom said left edge and a flap extending inwardly from said right edge,each of said flaps containing a free upper edge comprising an inwardlyextending elongated slot, said slots being configured and positioned toreceive said depending means when said front wall means is positioned insaid obtuse angle relationship to thereby lock said front wall means insaid relationship.
 3. Dispensing carton as defined in claim 2, in whichsaid carton has structure at each end comprising spaced wall meansdefining a cavity for receiving a flap of said flap means in telescopingrelation when said front wall means is positioned substantiallyperpendicular to said bottom wall means.
 4. Dispensing carton as definedin claim 3, in which said carton is assembled from a single blank withwhich said cutting means has been associated.
 5. Dispensing carton asdefined in claim 1, in which said obtuse angle ranges from about 110* toabout 130*.
 6. Dispensing carton as defined in claim 5, in which saidobtuse angle ranges from about 115* to about 125*.